What's New At Connections?

Applications are now open for the Connections UnitingCare Anti-Poverty Awards. The Awards recognise young Victorians and Tasmanians between the ages of 16 and 30 who are making a contribution to the eradication of poverty, locally, nationally or internationally and are branching-out into Tasmania for this first time this year.

'The Awards are a great way for Connections to bring young people to prominence. We want to un-earth young people who are making a difference in their community and we are very excited to have these Awards extended into Tasmania for the first time this year,' said Adrian Pyle, Chairperson of Connections and Founder of the Awards.

One of Victoria's largest welfare agencies is launching a special campaign to recruit permanent care families as it faces an unprecedented demand to place children. The Connections UnitingCare Forever Family campaign, coordinated by the Adoption and Permanent Care Team is rolling-out today.

Making the call for people to come forward, Connections Chief Executive Officer, Angela Forbes said it was an important campaign. 'We just can't find enough people to care for these kids,' she said. 'There are children that we are supporting that need a permanent and loving home today - we are appealing to people to consider this option for starting their family, but we do want to ensure that people realise it is a forever family.'

Connections has provided a Letter to the Editor calling for changes to the child protection system in response to a damning story published in The Sunday Age (June 7, 2009). The story entitled At-risk kids 'left in danger' highlights the problems that exist in the system and the difficulties faced by workers in it. Read our letter here:

Letter to the Editor
Your story At-risk kids 'left in danger' (June 7, 2009) showcases what everyone in the sector already knows. The system is failing and things need to change.